The New Student's Reference Work/University Extension

University Exten′sion, a branch of educational work of English origin, whose object is to extend the advantages of higher education to the people at large. The university center organizes lecture courses along lines likely to be popular with the surrounding population, especially in such subjects as literature, economics, art, history and science, and sends out, upon request, a lecturer, usually one of its own professors, to give a series of lectures at intervals of one week or two weeks in some one general field. The success of these lectures depends largely upon the ability of the lecturer to adapt his matter to the interests and capacity of his audience.

The best university extension centers use various means in addition to the lectures to enhance results. Syllabi of the courses, with references for home reading, are often given, and selections of books known as travelling libraries loaned by the university. Discussions and questions at the close of the lecture or special classes for discussion give a vital touch to the subject, and enable the lecturer to drive home the main principles and explain obscure points. In some instances local examinations are held at the close of the series of lectures, and university credit given. A small fee is usually charged for lectures.